3 Traits of Purpose-Driven Leaders

Cristina Sacco

What are purpose-driven leaders?

Leadership is a skill one can acquire through experience, learning, and a strategic approach. But what sets apart exceptional leaders from the rest?

It’s the embodiment of purpose.

Purpose-driven leaders possess a unique set of traits that distinguish them in the ever-evolving landscape of business, innovation, and community impact. Let’s delve into these three defining traits that mark their journey.

Visionary Foresight

Purpose-driven leaders are not fixated on immediate gains or short-term success. They possess a visionary foresight that extends beyond the confines of the present. They have an innate ability to envision a future that aligns with their core values and the greater good.

For instance, take Elon Musk. His vision for Tesla extends far beyond building electric cars; it encompasses revolutionizing sustainable energy, redefining transportation, and even colonizing Mars. Such leaders anchor their actions in a broader purpose, empowering their teams to strive for audacious goals.

Their visionary outlook isn’t just about dreaming; it’s about translating these dreams into actionable strategies. These leaders adeptly communicate their vision, inspiring and rallying teams around a common goal. They pave the path for innovation, encouraging creativity and fostering an environment where every team member feels connected to the larger purpose.

Authenticity and Empathy

Purpose-driven leadership is formed on the bedrock of authenticity and empathy. These leaders are genuine in their interactions and transparent in their communication. They lead with their values and principles, earning the trust and respect of their teams.

For example, Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft, exemplifies this trait remarkably. His empathetic leadership style transformed the culture at Microsoft, fostering an environment where collaboration and innovation flourished. He led with a deep understanding of the human element within the tech giant, inspiring a cultural shift towards inclusivity and openness.

Empathy is not just about understanding; it’s about actively listening and responding to the needs of others. Purpose-driven leaders empathize with their teams, customers, and stakeholders. They prioritize the well-being of their workforce, recognizing that success isn’t solely measured in profit margins but also in the collective growth and fulfillment of their people.

Resilience and Adaptability

The path of purpose-driven leadership is not devoid of challenges. It’s riddled with uncertainties, setbacks, and unforeseen obstacles. However, what sets these leaders apart is their resilience in the face of adversity and their ability to adapt to changing circumstances.

Consider Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo, who demonstrated resilience and adaptability in navigating the shift towards healthier consumer choices. Recognizing the trend early, she diversified PepsiCo’s portfolio with acquisitions like Tropicana and Quaker Oats. Despite challenges in restructuring and rebranding, Nooyi’s leadership showcased adaptability to changing market demands, emphasizing the vital role of resilience and flexibility in steering a global corporation toward sustainable growth.

Adaptability is another hallmark trait. In today’s dynamic world, leaders must navigate through constant change. Purpose-driven leaders embrace change as an opportunity for growth rather than a hindrance. They pivot strategies, learn from failures, and encourage a culture where experimentation is celebrated.

Conclusion

Purpose-driven leaders are not bound by conventional paradigms. Instead, they set their own standards. Their visionary outlook, coupled with authenticity, empathy, resilience, and adaptability, creates a ripple effect that transcends organizational boundaries.

Aspiring leaders can take a page from their playbook by understanding that leadership isn’t just about authority; it’s about influence, inspiration, and impact. Cultivating these traits fosters not just effective leadership but a legacy that resonates far beyond the realms of the present.

In essence, purpose-driven leaders don’t just lead; they pave the way for a future guided by a purpose that transcends individual achievements, leaving an indelible mark on society and generations to come. 

Our Impact

In 1995, our founders embarked on a journey that would disrupt the status quo of the executive recruiting industry. We have been transforming companies and lives ever since.

Frame 1000004239-May-16-2024-12-16-32-9170-PM

9,395

First Round Interviews

Frame 1000004239-May-16-2024-12-17-23-0672-PM

3,000+

Total Placements

Frame 1000004239-May-16-2024-12-18-06-3937-PM

47%

Diversity Placements

Frame 1000004239-May-16-2024-12-18-38-1485-PM

$700M

Economic Impact

zz-logo

Brent Albertson

CEO, Zing Zang LLC

Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Non-Alcoholic Beverages

“ Our experience with Protis Global has been very positive. They have strong multi-industry CPG experience and understand our business model and standards. They know the difference between an “A-player” and a “B-player” in several functions, and the honesty around that standard helps us move faster. Mike and team set up a great process, especially in early canvassing and vetting that helps our leaders engage at the right time and make decisions fast. ”

mark-anthony-brewing-1-1

Colin Nolan

Executive Vice President, Mark Anthony Brewing Inc.

Beer, Wine & Spirits
Beer, Wine & Spirits

“Protis Global’s approach to talent acquisition is marked by diligence, transparency, and a genuine dedication to client satisfaction. Their strategic insights and personalized service have made a substantial impact on our organization, ensuring that we always have the best professionals driving our initiatives forward. The team at Protis Global demonstrates a keen ability to identify individuals who not only possess the requisite skills but also align seamlessly with our company culture.”

Glass_House_Brands_Inc__Glass_House_Brands_Reports_Record_Second

Hilal Tabsh

Chief Revenue Officer, Glass House Brands

Cannabis
Cannabis

“Over the last 10+ years my experience with Michael Bitar and the Protis Global team has been exceptional across multiple industries. Michael and his team work to get to the true needs of my hiring plan and partner with us throughout the process. They understand our business, company culture, what success looks like, and then propose candidates that will produce results while also fitting into our team dynamic. Overall it’s a great team and experience and I would recommend to anyone looking to hire top-notch quality candidates reach out to Protis Global and Michael Bitar.”

bespoke-logo

Peter Iglesias

Chief Executive Officer, Bespoken Spirits

Beer, Wine, & Spirits
Beer, Wine, & Spirits

“I highly recommend Protis Global as a top-notch recruiting agency. I have had the pleasure of working with them for the past 15 years, both as a candidate and employer in the Spirits and Wine industry. In my 25 years of experience, I have found Protis Global to be the most efficient and effective recruiting agency I have ever dealt with. Protis Global has consistently come through for me in the clutch, providing exceptional professionalism and execution in job searches and placements. Their dedication to finding the right fit for both candidates and employers sets them apart from other agencies. I have always been impressed by their ability to understand the needs of both parties and successfully connect them in a timely manner.”

Zevia new logo

Soley Van Lokeren

SVP, People

Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Non-Alcoholic Beverages

“I have been in the field of human resources for over thirty years, in executive level roles both in-house and in outsourced positions. Michael Bitar is my favorite talent acquisition professional with which I have ever worked. He cares deeply about building a relationship with his clients, learning their business, culture, challenges, and truly understanding the needs of a role requisition. His approach is mirrored by the rest of the Protis team, who are courteous, thorough, and who make you feel like you are their only client. Protis successfully delivered hires for our Chief Commercial Officer role and for three key challenging roles (in both Marketing and Sales). They are simply – the best!”

vitamin_logo-4

Brian Kuz

Chief Sales Officer

Food & Snacks
Food & Snacks

“Protis is unique in their go-to-market strategy in that they not only find the right candidate for the role, but they find the right opportunity and company for the candidate. Protis Global looks for people who are ready to make a change...I will continue to recommend Protis Global as one of the best placement agencies in the World, as I have worked on every continent and have dealt with the big executive placement firms and the boutique ones. Protis shines above all, and as long as I am hiring, I will continue to go to Protis Global first, if not exclusively.”

poppi-testimonial

Chris Hall

CEO, poppi

Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Non-Alcoholic Beverages

“Partnering with Protis Global has been a game-changer for poppi. They understood our vision and the unique challenges we faced as a rapidly growing brand. Their expertise in executive search helped us find the right leaders who not only fit our culture but also brought the skills and passion needed to drive accelerated growth. The Protis Global team actively took our feedback and adapted the search so that we could focus on what we do best – creating innovative, healthy beverages that our customers love. They’ve truly become an extension of our team, and we couldn’t imagine achieving our success without the team members they helped us to bring aboard.”

spindrift-logo

Chad Palma

President of Sales, Spindrift

Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Non-Alcoholic Beverages

“Michael Bitar and the Protis team have been such a pleasure to work with over the years. Not only do they do amazing work with recruiting but we have also developed a partnership between our two companies. Michael and his team provide a crucial role in reviewing my hiring needs at the beginning of each year. Once the review is complete, Michael begins searching for quality candidates that fit the role and culture for Spindrift. He and his team do an outstanding job of finding the right candidates for the position in need. I highly recommend Michael and the Protis team for your hiring needs.”

mark-anthony-brewing-1-1

John Sacksteder

President, Mark Anthony Brewing Inc

Beer, Wine & Spirits
Beer, Wine & Spirits

“From the start, the relationship with Protis Global was different than other recruiting firms.  The team had a deeper level of commitment and desire to learn about our business than I had experienced with other firms. Our company was experiencing a time of exponential growth and our staffing needs were complex. We needed very experienced people across every possible function in the Operation and Supply Chain Teams and we needed them in a hurry. The Protis Global Team mobilized quickly and established a methodology to identify strong candidates and work them through the interview process in a professional and timely manner. Their grit, determination, understanding our needs and culture, sense of urgency and drive to exceed our expectations set them apart from the pack.”

arla-testimonial

Kathleen Hutchison

Senior National Account Manager at Arla Foods

Food & Snacks
Food & Snacks

Kayla was awesome and very thorough in her vetting of candidates. She understood our brief as we were looking for candidates and helped to weed through those who were not a good fit for the role. 

ijw-testimonial

Thomas Frisch

Chief People Officer at IJW Whiskey

Beer, Wine & Spirits
Beer, Wine & Spirits

“The team worked quickly and efficiently to find a unique position.”

lallemand-testimonial

Kim Nguyen

VP of Supply Chain at Lallemand

Beer, Wine & Spirits
Beer, Wine & Spirits

Everyone involved was extremely helpful - Gary, Michael, Ben - thank you!! The team didn't only search for candidates based on the job description, but also the qualities that I look for in candidates. 

poppi-testimonial

Shashank Gaur

VP of Product Technology & Innovation

Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Non-Alcoholic Beverages

The interview process was smooth and extremely professional. Ben and team represented me as much as they represented the company. 

arla-testimonial

Jeremy Schulman

Regional Business Manager - Foodservice

Food & Snacks
Food & Snacks

Consistent communication, updates, and detailed knowledge of the client. The whole experience was top notch!

coppali-testimonail

Blake T. Bermingham

Supply Chain Manager

Beer, Wine, & Spirits
Beer, Wine, & Spirits

Very simplistic process finding the right role for the right candidate...keep up the great work! 

arla-logo

Don Stohrer Jr.

CEO, Arla Foods USA

Food & Snacks
Food & Snacks

“We’ve been a Protis Global client for eight years, and during this time have always appreciated the thoroughness of the recruitment process, as the candidates brought to us have been well-vetted, not only from a competency perspective, but more importantly from a [cultural] fit dynamic. Mike and the team have always been highly engaged to ensure they bring us candidates that match our culture. That’s been critical to the success of the candidates that have landed here by way of our relationship with Protis.”

Need Top CPG Talent?

Whether you're hiring or job-seeking, we've got you covered.